I was fortunate enough to FINALLY go and watch Defending the Caveman on Wednesday evening. Did I laugh hard! What a funny performance and so true to life!
It did get me thinking though. Although we laugh hard at the punchlines, the scary part is how much we can all relate. To the stereotypes, to the fallacies and the myths and more than anything, the prejudice. Not just in the dynamics between the genders, but between the races, between the age groups, between the classes. How did it even start and where did it come from?
More to the point, will it ever end? I think although we laugh really easily at things of this nature, it is something that can go from a spark to a flame without any encouragement. Start off as a joke and end up in an argument. Or worse.
Does it not come from fear more than any other place? Fear of the unknown, of the unfamiliar. But then should it not spark curiosity, questioning, investigating? Why does it need to be quite so dogmatic in it's approach?
Makes one realise just HOW important those sessions on Diversity in the Workplace really are. Or Laughter Therapy. Or any activity that helps us see past our differences into our similarities.
Especially as we enter the month of Mandela, let us all put our differences aside, and be kind to one another.
Monday, June 23, 2014
Monday, June 2, 2014
10000 is a big number
Last Wednesday, 28 May, I graduated from the Goldman-Sachs GIBS 10000 Women Certificate Programme for Women Entrepeneurs. On top of this, I was asked to address my class, as one of two women chosen to speak. My 'boyfriend' has been telling me I need to start doing speaking for a year now. She is adamant that this is where my calling lies.
I know that the thought of speaking, before last Wednesday, was enough to reduce me to tears. The thought alone. At my 'boyfriend's' instruction I had looked into doing Toastmasters. LAST NOVEMBER. However, I had looked into it and so my conscience was quelled.
In the past few months, I have had so many signs from so many sources, encouraging me to speak. To share my gift, to share my passion and to share myself and my story, with others. So when Misha asked me to address our group, I knew I had no choice. 'Keep it a secret' she warned. So I sat down and feverishly attempted to write a sterling speech.
After dismally failing, on a plane back from Cape Town, I was flooded with the words. They found me.
When the day came, and I was called forward, I stood up, walked to the front (amidst cat calls of 'Benoniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii'!!!!!!!!!!!!) and I spoke. TO my fellow learners. From a place deep inside. And I LOVED IT and I absolutely killed it. Did everybody justice including my mom who happened to be my date for the grad.
A prouder moment I am not sure I have ever had. As I returned to my seat I had a colleague in front of me sobbing her eyes out and THANKING ME for what I said.
On Thursday morning I showed the girls in the office, and I had our Financial Manager crying too!
On Friday I met with another mentor for lunch, and she said to me that she can tell I am not following my true purpose and my true passion.
On Saturday night I met a complete stranger who told me that I need to share me and myself and my gift with the world, with her having no idea what that was or why she was even saying it.
And so today I say, I AM READY UNIVERSE. I am open and I am ready and I want to not just talk about changing the world, I want to be that change.
I am, after all, one of 10000 Women internationally to graduate the Goldman Sachs programme. I am, after all a child of God, as Marianne Williamson tells me. And as my 'boyfriend' constantly reminds me, WHO SAYS SO? Well Jen, I do. And I am ready!
Be kind to one another.
I know that the thought of speaking, before last Wednesday, was enough to reduce me to tears. The thought alone. At my 'boyfriend's' instruction I had looked into doing Toastmasters. LAST NOVEMBER. However, I had looked into it and so my conscience was quelled.
In the past few months, I have had so many signs from so many sources, encouraging me to speak. To share my gift, to share my passion and to share myself and my story, with others. So when Misha asked me to address our group, I knew I had no choice. 'Keep it a secret' she warned. So I sat down and feverishly attempted to write a sterling speech.
After dismally failing, on a plane back from Cape Town, I was flooded with the words. They found me.
When the day came, and I was called forward, I stood up, walked to the front (amidst cat calls of 'Benoniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii'!!!!!!!!!!!!) and I spoke. TO my fellow learners. From a place deep inside. And I LOVED IT and I absolutely killed it. Did everybody justice including my mom who happened to be my date for the grad.
A prouder moment I am not sure I have ever had. As I returned to my seat I had a colleague in front of me sobbing her eyes out and THANKING ME for what I said.
On Thursday morning I showed the girls in the office, and I had our Financial Manager crying too!
On Friday I met with another mentor for lunch, and she said to me that she can tell I am not following my true purpose and my true passion.
On Saturday night I met a complete stranger who told me that I need to share me and myself and my gift with the world, with her having no idea what that was or why she was even saying it.
And so today I say, I AM READY UNIVERSE. I am open and I am ready and I want to not just talk about changing the world, I want to be that change.
I am, after all, one of 10000 Women internationally to graduate the Goldman Sachs programme. I am, after all a child of God, as Marianne Williamson tells me. And as my 'boyfriend' constantly reminds me, WHO SAYS SO? Well Jen, I do. And I am ready!
Be kind to one another.
MONDAY MOTIVATION
As a woman, I think that the world losing Maya Angelou last week was a massive loss and I would like to remind all women, and all individuals out there of one of her greatest quotes for my Monday Motivation: "I've learned that making a living is not the same thing as making a life." GO OUT THERE AND BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD. Have a beautiful week ahead.
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